Doormat to Place mat
Many of you know the reason I named my ministry Open Door Access and the verses from the Bible that brought me to name it (found on my home page). But, I’d like to pull back the curtain a bit and explain it further by asking us a question. When we begin to approach a door, we want to enter, what process do we go through to have it open?
We might say, well that’s simple, I just go open it! Doors are made for opening aren’t they?
Yes, that’s one way, but what if it’s not your house, or your business or building? It belongs to someone else. Might this change our answer?….I think so.
So, let’s go back to what would our process be?
first question, is who does this door belong to?
second, do I need permission to enter it?
third, why do I want to enter through it?
fourth, what is my attitude or motive to want to be beyond the door?
five, do I have an access code to enter it?
A code? what’s that all about?
We’re going to take this thought process from a house or building to a person. What I mean is that people have metaphorical doors on their lives. More specific, we have a door on our heart.
Jesus shares with us in Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me.
Jesus is talking to the Church, not unsaved people in this verse. It’s very important to know this, because YES there was a door he stood at for salvation purpose, but in this verse that has already happened. So, why is he knocking again at the door? It’s because He wants access to your life and mine and he’s a gentleman and won’t open the door without your participation. So, the code is really on the inside of the door and the outside. It’s not a secret code. I'm going to tell it to you right now. It’s F-A-I-T-H. For you to open the door, you trust by faith that the person who is knocking at the door is there standing at your door mat to come in to your place mat. He brings the dinner and sets the table and eats the meal with you. Such a deal! Both walking by faith!
In Luke 12:35-40 Message, it says….
35 “Be ready! Be fully dressed and have your lights shining. 36 Be like servants who are waiting for their master to come home from a wedding party. The master comes and knocks, and the servants immediately open the door for him. 37 When their master sees that they are ready and waiting for him, it will be a great day for those servants. I can tell you without a doubt, the master will get himself ready to serve a meal and tell the servants to sit down. Then he will serve them. 38 Those servants might have to wait until midnight or later for their master. But, they will be glad they did when he comes in and finds them still waiting. (both parties walking in active faith)
39 “What would a homeowner do if he knew when a thief was coming? You know he would not let the thief break in. 40 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at a time when you don’t expect him!”
We see here that knowing who is knocking at your door and that they know the code, is quite necessary for true fellowship. Jesus only enters through the proper code, your faith in Him. That other guy, (the robber) he won’t knock, he will crash in, break in and bring a whole party with him, use flattering words and so much more. Yeah, he’s that guy! He also can mimick and pretend he knows the code, but if you listen and look closely through the peep hole, he’s a just a salesman.
Remember though, they are a Christian, but they think they need to sell you and they always wants something from you. They are listening to old tapes, that they have to perform in some way to get what they want and they want you to do it, too (go back and read last month’s blog for further insight on this). They are there to sell a trip to Fleshland! Don’t buy it!!! no matter what the brochure may say. It’s not a life giving trip and the ride is bumpy and will make you queezy.
So, the next time you put out a door mat on your heart… remember that a…
Door mat becomes a “Welcome” mat, but there must be an access code that starts with, Faith lived out of you are “Fully Accepted“ here and there are no sales involved! Then you by faith, open the door and say “Come on in and let’s share a meal”.
In practical reality with this… Jesus lives in other Christian people and when they come to the door of your heart, they must have the Access Code and you will know if they use it, because they will come with a servant’s heart (humility), the dinner (ready to share) and the apron (posture in Christ). You need only put out the place mat.
Just to be clear, this doesn’t mean you don’t invite people to your house and cook for them. This is a heart illustration for true, intimate fellowship between Christians.
It would be good for you though to put out a “No soliciting” sign on your door.
Love,
Dayna
photo by: Photo by: https://unsplash.com/@jonohirst